http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Play#Play_Music
Play Music
On November 16, 2011, Google introduced Google Music with a music store, Google+ integration, artist hubs, and purchasing reflected on T-Mobile phone bills. The three major label partnerships announced were with Universal Music Group, EMI, and Sony Music Entertainment, along with other smaller labels. To celebrate the launch, several artists released free songs and exclusive albums through the store. The Rolling Stones debuted the live recording Brussels Affair (Live 1973) and Pearl Jam made available a live concert recorded in Toronto as 9.11.2011 Toronto, Canada.
A cloud media player was first hinted at the Google 2010 I/O Conference, where Google Senior Vice-President of Social Vic Gundotra showed a "Music" section of the Android Market that would allow users to download music through the market. The music streaming service was announced by Google on 10 May 2011 at its I/O conference as Music Beta and released as Google Music, before the rebrand to Google Play. The service supports streaming music to Android devices and web browsers that can use the Adobe Flash platform. At launch, the service was only available with an invitation and only to US residents. In November 2011, however, it became open to the public, but still only for US residents.
According to Google, there are hundreds of free songs in Google Play and millions available for purchase. Users can also upload up to 20,000 of their songs to the service free of charge. Songs in Google Music are priced at US$1.29, $0.99, $0.69, and free. Users also get personalized recommendation based on what they listen to the most. Music can be played on the Google Play website or via Android and iOS devices. It can be stored for offline playback.
Google also noted that "from time to time we'll be showcasing exclusive concerts and interviews available in Google Play."
The service allows the user to automatically create a playlist of "songs that go well together" using a feature known as Instant Mix. Music and playlists imported to Google Play music can not alter playlists in other music program libraries, while changes in other applications are reflected in the Google Play music library.
Alternative players are available for the service, for example G-Ear on the Mac, and GMusic on Windows.
On October 29, 2012, Google announced Google Play in the US and Europe would get song matching: the capability to scan a user's music library and make available any songs which are present on Google's servers without the need to upload them. Google also announced partnership with Warner Music Group, the last major music label not already presented in Google Music. Google also announced that customers in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK will be able to buy music on Google Play from November 13, 2012.
Google Play Music is currently available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.
Play Music All Access
On May 15, 2013 at Google I/O, Google announced Google Play Music All Access, a music streaming platform that will debut immediately in the US for $9.99 a month ($7.99 if signed up before June 30). The new service lets users combine the All Access catalog with their own library of up to 20,000 Songs. All Access is currently available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
